Lois Becket writes about race, racism, romance and “relatability” in romance, the Romance Writers of America and the Rita awards. “People say: ‘Well, I can’t relate,’” [Beverly] Jenkins told NPR a few years ago, after watching white readers simply walk past her table at a book signing. “You […]
At first it was the way the bears were stacked atop each other that appealed to me. I’d see ads for We Bare Bears while watching other shows and think, “That is adorable and appealing.” Their shape, the color arrangement. Just the whole stacking thing. But one weekend […]
Author’s note: In April 2022, Monáe stated in an interview that their preferred pronouns are they/them. This article has been updated to reflect Janelle’s identity. As it turned out, the success of extravagant films like Metropolis had no bearing on the continued production of such opulent films in […]
At the Virtues of Captain America, friend of the Gutter Mark. D. White looks at Avengers #32-3 (Sept. / Oct. 1966). “These two issues are not heavy on ethical content related to Captain America specifically, but it is a particularly timely story… unfortunately. It deals with a white […]
Preamble: This started out as a simple article about science fiction’s influence on the music of Janelle Monáe. Then it became a fiery little article about championing “the other,” opposing toxic fandom, and celebrating diversity in science fiction. And then, one thing led to another, and, well…if Fritz […]
The second half of the third season (TV seasons are weird these days) of The Expanse, which wrapped in late June (thanks, Amazon, for making sure it was a season finale instead of a series finale), begins with a seemingly innocuous detail about one of its characters. It’s […]
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The Cultural Gutter 